The Eyes of Emerald

Chapter 6

While the dwarves were surrounded by elven horses, Kili laughed at the sight of Fili sharing a horse with an elf. But Fili felt he couldn't hear anything. All he could hear was his thoughts. And all they said was 'Dawn'. He was lifted off the horse and placed down to be with the others and he was confronted by Kili.

"You rode a horse. With an ELF!" he chuckled. But he soon stopped. Fili had no expression other than worry. He wasn't getting angry, or telling him to shut up. Something was wrong.

"Brother, what is it." But he remained silent. Just then another horse came. It was Elladan. And with him was Dawn. She was paler than ever, and was motionless. Bofur ran to the elf as he carried her off.

"What happened to her! What are you doing!" he demanded.

"She was stabbed. She needs medical attention." As the elf walked away, Fili followed, along with Bofur and Kili.

They came in a room, where several elf maidens were waiting. As Elladan placed the girl down on the bed, already the white sheets were beginning to stain.

"Oh God," Kili muttered.

"You can't be here right now. I must ask you three to leave," said an elf maiden. Although Fili could not leave her, he did what was ordered. When they left the room, Kili turned to his brother. But before he could say anything, Bofur shoved Fili to the wall, with rage in his eyes

"What happened. Tell me!" Bofur demanded

"When the Orc grabbed her, he said she was a 'Balorat Su' and he stabbed ther in the waist. I tried to stop him. I really did. He would have stabbed her in the heart if not for the elves." Bofur loosened his grasp, and let Fili go. Just then, Elrohir appeared. The look on his face contorted with worry.

"Did you just say 'Balorat Su'," he asked.

"Yes. But I don't know what it means."

"Then you must follow me." Confused, Fili and Kili followed the elf to a spiral staircase, which lead to what looked like a library. There in the room was an older elf with long brown hair. No doubt this was Lord Elrond.

"My lord Elrond. The dwarf maiden that was injured was called Balorat Su by her attacker." Elrond turned to the brothers.

"So the eyes of emerald have been found." The eyes of emerald? What was that.

"What are the eyes of emerald?" Fili asked.

"Why do you ask?" The elf said.

"Because I was assigned to protect that girl down there and I want to know why they are after her!"

"I meant no offense, master dwarf." Elrond then took a piece of parchment from a large pile. As he unrolled it, he began to read the writing on it.

"The Eyes of Emerald will unbind fate, and will lead the heirs of Durin once away from the gates." This made no sense to Fili or Kili.

"Excuse me, but what does that mean?" Kili asked, trying to sound polite.

"It is a prophecy. In other words, the eyes of emerald may be the difference between life and death. Your friend, what colors our her eyes?"

"Green. Like emeralds," Fili said. He then began to think of Dawn even more. Her sparkling beautiful green eyes.

"Then your friend has the eyes of emerald. Balorat Su, means Emerald Eye in Blackspeach. This prophecy says that the eyes of emerald will unbind the fate of the heir of Durin, which is Thorin Oakenshield. And whoever is next in line. Your friend is on the hunt because if someone was to kill the heir to Durin, he could easily come back to life. But only once."

Fili stepped back. He now knew why they had to protect her. And now he was even more angered at himself. He could have stopped the orc. He was so close to killing her. Dawn. He had to see Dawn.

"Thank you. I must go now." Fili then began to walk. But then he stopped.

"Master dwarf." Fili turned to the elf, wondering what else he would say. "Watch over her." Fili nodded and continued to leave, followed by Kili.

"You join the others. I need to do something." Kili nodded, but left his brother, he asked this question.

"Will Dawn be alright?" Fili stopped for a second, an turned to his brother.

"Kili, I really wish I knew." Fili then rushed to the chamber Dawn was in. Luckily there was no one there. He quietly walked in. Dawn was motionless in the bed. Her clothes were changed to white robes, But he could see with some small blood marks they bandaged the wound. Fili then sat on a chair next to the bed. He didn't even know if she was truly alive.

"Dawn. You probably can't hear me. That's ok." He stopped and took a breath. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything when that Orc stabbed you. I said I'd protect you, but instead I got you nearly killed. Now here we are, in an elven kingdom, where you can't even see it's beauty." Fili felt he was to cry. He sniffles and wiped away what was soon to be tears. He then took her hand and held it gently yet tightly, to make sure she was still there.

"Dawn, this past while with you on this journey was amazing. I remember when I first saw you. I thought you were some sort of angel. That's why I stared at you. Not because you weren't old, masculen, growing a beard or reaking of a smell unknown. I remember when you danced. You dancing made me truly smile. And even when we weren't near each other, I thought of you. I'm sorry." Fili then lifted Dawns hand and lightly kissed. He couldn't stop the tears running down his cheeks.

"Please come back." He then began to softly weep. What had he done.
Just then, footsteps came. Fili quickly wiped away his tears. He'd hate it if anyone saw him cry. He turned to see Bilbo at the door.

"Can I...come in?" he asked.

"Y-Yea..." Fili sniffles a bit and wiped away any tears he missed. "...come in."
The hobbit pulled up a chair next to Fili and looked at Dawn.

"You know when she came to my home back at Hobbiton, she was the first person to serve me tea. I always served." Bilbo confided. Fili smiled.

"She may have been the nicest one, even when she wasn't trying to." Fili noticed Bilbo tearing up a bit. He then placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, she doesn't give up easily. She'll make it." Bilbo smiled back and the two sat there, until they heard steps. Now at the entrance was an elf maiden, with honey colored hair, and an angered expression.

"Y-You two aren't allowed here!" she scolded. The two then left the room, still having hopes for Dawns survival.